Welcome to the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women. We are dedicated to furthering feminist issues for the women of Chicago. We pride ourselves on being part of ‘the city that works,’ a city with a long history of activism. Our intention is to make a difference in the lives of the women in our city by dedicating ourselves to several key projects each year, and through community outreach and political activities.

Make an Impact for Women in Chicago!

 
As we move into 2015, we have seen some great strides — a statewide minimum wage increase referendum, resolutions to benefit working families, marriage equality in Illinois, steps towards support for a state Equal Rights Amendment — and many more challenges, from growing support for ‘personhood’ amendments to street harassment and police violence to economic gaps that still need closing.
We at Chicago NOW are looking for passionate, committed individuals to help us tackle these challenges and fight for justice and equality as members of our Board of Directors. Whatever your issue, be it reproductive justice, economic equality, LGBTQ rights, women’s health, ending violence and harassment or something else entirely, you can make a difference in Chicago and be part of the conversation on the CNOW Board.
If you are interested, please contact chicagonow.org@gmail.com.

Join us for Women Who Dared 2014!

 

Each year we come together for Women Who Dared, our annual awards ceremony and reception recognizing the important contributions local women leaders are making to positively impact the lives of women and girls in Chicago. This year we will be honoring Cook County Circuit Judge Gloria Chevere and Mariame Kaba – Executive Director of Project NIA on Thursday, September 18 from 6-8pm at Maggiano’s (516 N. Clark) in downtown Chicago.

Tickets are on sale now at http://wwd2014.eventbrite.com/ We invite you to join us as we celebrate the women making a difference in our community!

Questions can be directed to chicagonow.org@gmail.com

Thank you to our esteemed 2014 Host Committee: 

  • Honorable Kelly Cassidy
  • Ameshia Cross
  • Callie Czerkie
  • Dana Kelly
  • Honorable Robin Kelly
  • Amber Kirchhoff
  • Simone McNeil
  • Kelly Marie Murphy
  • Honorable Deb Shore
  • Honorable Sheila Simon
  • Mallory Sorenson
  • Honorable Mariyana Spyropoulos
  • Sue Straus
  • Cristina Villarreal

This year’s honorees:

 

Gloria Chevere

 

Judge Gloria Chevere has practiced law for over 32 years and has been dedicated to public service while holding high-level positions. She was elected Cook County Circuit Court Judge in 2006, and in 2012 she overwhelmingly won her retention race.  She is currently the Presiding Judge in Branch 23 in Chicago.

Judge Chevere was born in Jayuya, Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago at the age of 5. Chevereattended Northeastern Illinois University and then attended John Marshall Law School.   

Soon after receiving her law degree she joined the Harold Washington administration as a Deputy Commissioner in the City’s Department of Planning and Development and was later appointed to serve as Senior Deputy Executive Director of the CTA.

Judge Chevere has been dedicated to fighting for fairness in economic and political power for all citizens. She has been a great defender of our constitutional rights and serves with honor and integrity as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

 

Mariame Kaba

Mariame Kaba is the founding director of Project NIA. From 2004 to 2009, she was a program officer at the Steans Family Foundation where her work focused on education, youth development and evaluation.

Mariame has been active in the anti-violence against women and girls movement since 1989. Her experience includes serving as the co-chair of the Women of Color Committee at the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, serving on the founding advisory board of the Women and Girls Collective Action Network (WGCAN) and being a member of Incite! Women of Color against Violence.

Mariame considers herself above all to be a social justice educator. She has developed and taught courses about the history of black education, youth violence, urban education, and contemporary social issues at Northeastern Illinois University and at Northwestern University. She has written and published several articles and essays about urban education, youth leadership, and the significance of hair in the black community.